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Missed Open Enrollment? What you can still do
If Marketplace Open Enrollment has ended and you do not have a qualifying life event, you generally cannot enroll in a Marketplace plan until the next annual window. Check for a Special Enrollment Period, Medicaid or CHIP, and private options.
First, confirm whether enrollment is actually closed
In states that use HealthCare.gov, Marketplace Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage ends January 15, 2027. Some state-run Marketplaces use a later date. If you are reading this during the window, you can still enroll; see our 2027 Open Enrollment dates guide. If you need coverage to start January 1, the HealthCare.gov deadline is December 15, 2026 in those states.
Check for a Special Enrollment Period you might have missed
Losing other coverage, moving, marriage, a new baby, or certain other life changes can still open a Marketplace Special Enrollment Period after the annual window closes. HealthCare.gov describes these events and the usual 60-day (or, for Medicaid or CHIP loss, 90-day) timelines. If you were turned down and think you qualify, you can appeal.
Options if you do not have a qualifying event
Medicaid and CHIP are not limited to Open Enrollment. If your household may qualify, apply any time through HealthCare.gov or your state agency.
Some private, off-exchange plans accept applications outside the Marketplace calendar. They may be medically underwritten and may not be comprehensive coverage. Short-term plans, where they are sold, are temporary and may exclude pre-existing conditions. A licensed agent can tell you what is actually offered in your state and whether waiting for the next Open Enrollment, or applying for Medicaid, is the better path.
This site is not HealthCare.gov. Requests go only to one licensed agency and are never resold.
Common questions
If I missed Open Enrollment, am I stuck until next year?
You are stuck out of Marketplace plans until the next Open Enrollment unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Medicaid, CHIP, and some private off-exchange plans may still be available.
What is the deadline for January 1 coverage?
In states that use HealthCare.gov, enroll by December 15, 2026 for coverage that starts January 1, 2027. Later enrollments in the Open Enrollment window generally start February 1.
Related guides
Reviewed November 13, 2026. Educational only — not insurance, tax or legal advice. This is not a government website.
Sources
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